Wood bending and forming device



Sept. 24, 1963 s, WAKE 3,104,690

WOOD BENDING AND FORMING DEVICE Filed Dec. 4. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l HENRY 5'. MAKE.

Sept. 24, 1963 H. s. WAKE WOOD BENDING AND FORMING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1961 mswnv s WAKE.

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WOOD BENDING AND FORMING DEVICE Filed Dec. 4. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 3,104,690 W961) BENDENG Films ENG DEVECE Henry S. Wake, 1461 Rosecrans St, San Diego 6, Qalif. Fiied Dec. 4, H61, Ser. No. 156,913 1 Claim. (Cl. 144267) This invention relates to a device for bending and forming wood under heat and pressure and has for its principal object the provision of a simple and accurate means for bending the ribs or sides in violin making.

Heretofore in this work the violin maker bends and forms the wood for ribs by hand and eye over a hot bending iron and much difficulty is encountered particularly with the middle or C ribs which become the waist of the violin; the wood being .040 inch to .050 inch in thickness breaks very easily or becomes charred from excessive heat, thus wasting expensive material on which much time has already been spent in preparation.

in accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel device for use in conjunction with a standard rib bending iron which in its usual form is electrically heated and is well known in the art, said device comprising two metal cylinders having different diameters and a connecting web of spring bronze, these elements together forming a C profile are attached by mounting screws to the body of aforesaid rib bending iron, the smaller of the two aforesaid metal cylinders which will form the upper radius of the C is mounted by a bolt passing through its axis so that it may turn freely and concentrically on its axis or be locked in position by tightening aforesaid bolt. The second cylinder which forms the lower and larger radius of the C is mounted by a bolt passing through said cylinder eccentric to its axis so that said cylinder can turn freely or be locked in any desired position in its eccentric turn on aforesaid bolt, said cylinder being mounted preferably to the left of aforesaid smaller cylinder an arbitrary distance within the scope of the work to be performed so that any movement of said eccentrically mounted cylinder will increase or decrease the distance between both cylindrical members; a length of spring bronze is attached by its extremities to the periphery of each of the two aforesaid cylinders in such manner that on turning the right hand smaller concentric cylinder member clockwise, the bronze strip can be wound over and onto said cylinder; likewise on turning the left hand larger, eccentric cylinder member counter clockwise, the opposite end of said bronze strip will wind over and onto said cylinder.

The invention has as a further object the provision of means whereby the material may be held securely while being formed; in accordance with this object there is provided a novel bracket in conjunction with the aforesaid eccentric cylinder member, said bracket being adapted for use regardless of the position of said cylinder member on its eccentric axis.

Having in mind the above brief statement of objects and features, the invention may be fully understood by reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective View, a device constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 and shows a strip of wood 21 in process of being formed with the aid of lead strip 16.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing eccentric cylindrical member 1 in extended position, with phantom outlines showing range of possible settings from this position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing eccentric cylindrical member 1 in close position with smaller concentric cylindrical member 2 also moved to close position, with phantom outlines showing range of possible settings from this position.

3,104,596 Patented Sept. 24, 1963 FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of cylindrical member 1 taken along line 55 of FIG. 3, with bracket member 3 moved to position shown by phantom lines in FIG. 3 for clarity.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of cylindrical member 2 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a preferred form of key 20'.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective View of the device attached to a preferred type of bending iron 22, held in vise 23.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the device consists of a metal cylindrical member 1, having a hole 5 parallel with and excentric to the axis thereof to receive bolt attaching means 6, said hole extending through said cylinder member; said hole being countersunk on upper face of aforesaid cylindrical member sufficiently to allow top of aforesaid bolt 6 when inserted in said hole, to be flush with upper surface of aforesaid cylindrical member 1, said cylindrical member 1 being capable of being turned to any position on its eccentric axis; said member being capable of being locked in any selected position. One hole 8 drilled and threaded in upper face of said cylindrical member 1 on the axis thereof, and of suflicient depth to receive bolt 9, two holes 10 drilled in upper face of said cylindrical member 1 equidistant from center on a line through center; said holes 10 being of sufiicient depth and diameter to receive projections 11 on key FIG. 7. Aforesaid cylindrical member 1 having the body diameter thereof stepped down to a depth and width sufiicient to allow strip of spring bronze material 4 to lay flush between raised margins 12 on periphery of said cylindrical member 1 when said bronze strip is attached thereto. Three drilled and threaded holes 13 on periphery of said cylindrical member 1 on a line parallel to the axis thereof; said holes being between the peripheral margins 12 of aforesaid cylindrical member 1. A bracket member of fiat steel 3 attached at one extremity by washer 19 and mounting bolt 9 in threaded hole 8 at axis of aforesaid cylindrical member 1, said bracket member being free to move in either direction on said bolt 9; said bracket member being capable of being secured in any part of its movement by means of bolt 9; said bracket member 3 being formed at a right angle to lay adjacent to the pe riphery of aforesaid cylindrical member 1 for full length of body of said cylindrical member 1; said bracket member being sufficient distance 14- from the periphery of aforesaid cylindrical member 1 to allow insertion of material 21 FIG. 2 to be formed. A metal cylindrical member 2 having a diameter approximately one fourth less than aforesaid cylindrical member 1, said cylindrical member 2 having through the axis thereof a hole 24 to receive attachment means bolt 25' said hole 24 extending through said member, said hole being countersunk 26 on the upper face of the aforesaid cylindrical member 2 sufiiciently to allow top of aforesaid bolt 25 when inserted in said hole 24 to be flush with upper surface of aforesaid cylindrical member 2, said cylindrical member 2 being capable of being turned to any position on its axis; said member being capable of being locked in any selected position. Two holes 27 drilled in upper face of said cylindrical member 2 on a line through and equidistant from center; said holes being of sufficient depth and diameter to receive projections 11 on key FIG. 7; aforesaid cylindrical member 2, having the body diameter thereof stepped down to a depth and width sufficient to allow strip of spring bronze material 4 to lay flush between raised margins 28 on periphery of said cylindrical member 2 when said bronze strip 4- is attached thereto. Three drilled and threaded holes 13 on the periphery of said cylindrical member 2, holes being on a line parallel to the axis thereof; said hole-s being between the peripheral margins 28 thereof. A strip of spring Phosphor bronze 4 approximately .010 inch thickness and of sufiicient width to fit between peripheral margins 28 on aforementioned cylindrical members 1 and 2; said strip 4 being of such length that when aforesaid cylindrical members 1 and 2 are adjusted to close proximity with each other FIG. 4, with bronze strip 4 attached, the extremities of said bronze strip 4 will be up underneath on the inside but not touching the under surface of said bronze strip 4. Two or more holes drilled at extremities of said bronze strip 4 for attachment to periphery of aforesaid cylindrical members 1 and 2 by means of screws 15. A length of steel wire 20 bent to a V form FIG. 7 and having its ends bent at right angles to form projections 11, said steel wire being of a diameter to fit easily in holes 1%, 27 on the faces of aforementioned cylindrical members 1 and 2. A strip of lead 16 of approximately .050 inch thickness and of suitable length, said strip 16 being of width suiticient to cover sides of aforementioned cylindrical members 1 and 2, said lead strip 16 having handle 17 attached at one end by attaching means 18.

The complete cycle of forming and bending being as follows: The wood bending and forming device is attached to a flat surface on an electrically heated metal block or form, preferably about 600 watts, from which said device draws heat; said block being held in vise or by any other means, however said device could also be heated to required temperature by any other means such as individual electric heating elements, or coils placed in the cylinder member thereof; the wood to be formed is dipped but not soaked in water and placed face to face with a strip of lead of approximately the same width and thickness as the wood to be formed; while in contact with each other one end of the said wood and lead is placed between aforementioned bracket and cylinder in such manner that it is held thereby with the wood in contact with the hot eccentric cylinder member and with the lead to the outside; on wrapping the lead strip over the device the wood is taken with it while in contact with hot metal; the wet wood generates steam which permeates the wood and prevents it from burning, the lead being a good conductor picks up heat quickly and will prevent the generated steam from escaping to the atmosphere, in this manner the Wood is heated from both sides and rendered pliable by the steam; by continuing the wrapping motion completely over and under said device it can be quickly and easily formed to a C without breaking or burning.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus completely and fully described the invention what is now claimed as new is as follows:

A device of the class described comprising in combination a strip of spring bronze; a metal cylinder having mounting means lengthwise through the body thereof but eccentric to the axis of said cylinder member; a second.

cylinder member of smaller diameter than the aforesaid cylinder member, said second cylinder member having mounting means axially and concentrically through the body thereof, said mounting means for attaching the device to a standard heated iron; the aforementioned bronze strip being fixedly attached at its extremities to aforesaid cylinder members at the peripheries thereof, said cylinder members being held in parallel relation to each other, said cylinder members being attached to aforesaid spring bronze strip in such manner that the natural tendency of the spring material to roll inward with the aforesaid cylinders attached form a C profile, a bracket member consisting of a strip of steel bent at a right angle and pivotly associated at one extremity to the end face of one of the aforesaid cylinder members and the other extremity thereof extending along the side of said cylinder, the aforesaid cylinders each having small holes in the face thereof, said holes being on each side of center adapted to receive a tool for turning the cylinders, a strip of metallic lead,

and cylinder member, and of a length suitable 0t wrap over said bronze strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 170,981 Bailey Dec. 14, 1875 Potchen Nov. 4, 1952 

